Jordan Oliver, a promising talent in Game Changer Wrestling, could be out of action for as much as 12 months after suffering a serious injury.

At the GCW Worst Behavior event on July 5, Oliver defeated Charles Mason in the seventh match of the show, but things weren’t over just yet. After the match, Mason attacked the already-weakened knee of Oliver and attacked the joint with a steel chair. As Oliver was tended to by officials, Mason bragged about hearing Jordan’s knee ‘pop’ and suggested he’s ended Jordan’s career.

On Twitter, Oliver, in his sixth attempt to record his message, shared the unfortunate news of his injury. The 25-year-old shared that in June he suffered a knee injury and doctors told him the injury was serious. An MRI revealed that Oliver had a torn ACL though that didn’t stop him from wrestling.

“Over the past weekend in Toronto, Charles Mason took it upon himself to turn my 6-9 [month out recovery window] into a 9-12. And I will definitely be on the shelf for some time. I’ve been wrestling for a long time and wrestling is all that I know so this is going to be very tough for me. If there’s anyone that can get through this and overcome it, I think it’s me.”

Though acknowledging its cheesy, Oliver delivered the cliche ‘It’s not goodbye, it’s see you down the road’ line and vowed to be back. In the meantime, Mason will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in GCW, and talent on the roster will have to be careful or fall victim to a similar attack.

Baszler is set to return to GCW’s Bloodsport on July 28.

The wrestling world is stunned after Josh Barnett announced that WWE superstar Shayna Baszler will return to Game Changer Wrestling. On April 4, the ‘Queen of Spades’ competed at GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X against Masha Slamovich. After a successful partnership, WWE has allowed Baszler to compete again for GCW for Bloodsport XI. 

Barnett broke the news on his X account. The event will occur at the Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn, New York, on July 28. He also hyped up her return by adding that she is a natural to the bloodsport concept, as she trained under him during her MMA career. 

The Bloodsport XI match card is still being developed. So far, the company has revealed that current TNA Wrestling superstar Mike Santana will take on wrestling legend Homicide. GCW has also announced that ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey, Slamovich, Akira, and Matt Makowski are set to compete on the show. The addition of Baszler has increased interest in the event, with fans wondering who she will face.

Possible Opponent For Shayna Baszler

Baszler returning for Bloodsport XI has made the possibility of seeing her get a rematch against Slamovich realistic. In their first encounter, both gritty superstars put on a brutal technical match that was well-received by fans. Baszler won after the referee decided that the TNA superstar couldn’t continue due to repeated head strikes. GCW could have them face off again in a rematch to see who is better on July 28. 

Another possibility is her ‘Four-Horsewomen of MMA’ ally and friend, Marina Shafir. While Baszler succeeded in her debut at Bloodsport X, Shafir would win the women’s tournament, defeating two opponents on the same card. GCW could make a matchup to pit them against each other for an action-packed showdown.

GCW has plenty of fun options for opponents who can face Baszler. Regardless, the former WWE NXT Women’s Champion’s return to GCW marks another sign that the wrestling world has significantly changed. 

The GCW World Heavyweight Championship is now in the hands of Mance Warner after capturing the title at the recent GCW Cage Of Survival 3 event. 

In the show’s main event, a Gauntlet of Survival match saw several wrestlers briefly hold the title including Nick Gage, Jimmy Lloyd, and Cole Radric. Like in a WWE Championship Scramble, it was whoever held the title at the end of the match’s time limit who would officially become the GCW World Champion. 

https://twitter.com/GIFSkullX/status/1797416664209727588

When all was said and done, Joey Janela was the GCW World Heavyweight Champion but things weren’t over just yet. After the match, Mance Warner cashed in Do Or Die title shot, which guaranteed him a World Championship opportunity at a time of his choosing. With Warner completely fresh, he made quick work of Janela to win the GCW World Title. 

On Twitter, Steph De Lander, an ally of Game Changer Wrestling General Manager, shared a photo with her fiancee Warner. 

The Mancer era has begun ? @GCWrestling_ @NickKarpPhotos pic.twitter.com/4AkRlx6ecd

— STEPH DE LANDER (@stephdelander) June 3, 2024

The title had been vacated by Game Changer Wrestling’s General Manager Matt Cardona. The Indy God, who is also a former GCW World Champion, stripped Blake Christian of the title in May of this year. Cardona made the decision after Christian opted to compete in New Japan’s Best of Super Juniors event instead of the Tournament of Survival show on June 1. Now, the title and the responsibility of being champion falls on Warner but with the manner in which he won the title, expect plenty of challengers for the new GCW World Champion. 

The GCW World Championship reign of Blake Christian has come to a controversial end thanks to GCW General Manager Matt Cardona. 

At GCW Take A Picture, Cardona appeared in the ring and spoke about Christian’s title reign. The self-professed Indy God said that Christian was scheduled to defend his title against Joey Janela at GCW Tournament of Survival. That match will not go ahead as Christian would not make the event due to his participation in NJPW Best of Super Juniors. 

As Christian would not make his scheduled title defense on June 1, Cardona announced that he had stripped Christian of the gold and that the title is currently vacated. Janela confronted Cardona and said the decision was wrong. Cardona announced that Janela would still get his title shot, but it would be in the Matt Cardona Gauntlet of Survival.

https://twitter.com/GIFSkullX/status/1794549110659260722

Cardona appeared at GCW Take A Picture in a sling as the former WWE Superstar recently underwent pectoral surgery. Cardona suffered the injury in April 2024 and is expected to keep him out of action for months. Cardona was appointed GCW’s GM in May 2024 and has also been making waves outside of the ring. 

• Matt Cardona Lands Role in Spaghetti Western, ‘Down The Long River’

GCW Tournament of Survival

The ninth GCW Tournament Of Survival event will take place on Saturday, June 1, from the Showboat Hotel Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Names promoted for the event include Big F’n Joe, Brandon Kirk, Hideyoshi Kamitani, John Wayne Murdoch, Shunma Katsumata, UltraMantis Black, Yuki Ishikawa. The show will be available to watch on Triller TV

Sidney Akeem, who was known as Scrypts or Reggie during his time in the WWE, has been announced for his first post-WWE booking. As part of it, Akeem will be making his way to Game Changer Wrestling.

GCW announced on Tuesday that starting June, Sidney Akeem will make his debut for the promotion on three shows. Here is the lineup:

1. Saturday, June 15: GCW Hit Em Up in Los Angeles
2. Saturday, June 29: GCW Crime Wave in Dallas
3. Friday, July 19: GCW So High in St Louis

The now-free agent commented on the GCW announcement, stating that “it’s time.”

It’s time ?? https://t.co/dMrmoGbqqf

— Sidney Akeem (@sidneyakeem) May 21, 2024

Akeem was released from WWE on May 1, 2024. He confirmed his exit from the company with a video on Instagram, confirming that he is a free agent.

Life After WWE

During a recent chat with Sean Ross Sapp for Fightful, Akeem said that he’s “very positive” about the release and he’s been in “really good spirits” about it. Sidney Akeem added that he’s looking forward to the next chapter of his career.

“I am full-on excited for this next chapter in my story. People don’t know this, but I did circus for 16 years. I was ready to lay that career aside and go on the independent circuit if WWE didn’t offer me a contract. I was willing to dive into this head first from the very beginning. But I was fortunate enough to get a contract with WWE, so that didn’t happen.

Now, I’m here, and I’m excited to do that. Lots of companies have hit me up. Lots of projects in the works. The future is very very bright.”

Earlier this week, Akeem training in the ring with Mercedes Moné ahead of her her AEW in-ring debut this weekend at AEW Double or Nothing.

Check out Sidney Akeem’s first post-WWE interview with SRS:

Matt Cardona is keeping himself busy in a non-wrestling capacity while recovering from a recent injury. He has announced himself as the new General Manager of Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). 

The Indy God recently sustained a torn pec injury while competing for Reality of Wrestling last month. He has also undergone surgery and is not expected to return to in-ring action anytime soon. 

Cardona kept his word and made a major announcement at GCW Rather You Than Me. He delivered a promo at the show and said that he might not wrestle at the promotion ever again. He said that fans don’t need to call him the Internet Champion or Deathmatch King, but they will have to call him the ‘General Manager of GCW.’ 

.@TheMattCardona says he may never wrestle in @GCWrestling_ again! #GCWRYTM pic.twitter.com/tZnUVuo17n

— Xenia ? (@xeniadidthat) May 4, 2024

.@TheMattCardona is the new GENERAL MANAGER of @GCWrestling_!!! #GCWRYTM pic.twitter.com/ubowimLhCM

— Xenia ? (@xeniadidthat) May 4, 2024

BREAKING NEWS…

I am the NEW General Manager of @GCWrestling_!

The Cardona Era has officially begun! pic.twitter.com/1w9nT5OiV7

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 4, 2024

Cardona made his GCW debut in 2021. He soon became the GCW World Champion (first in any promotion) after defeating Nick Gage in a Deathmatch. His last match for the promotion before injury took place in April at GCW Joey Janela’s Spring Break 8 where he defeated Blue Pain.

While Cardona remains away from in-ring action, he has announced that he will still be available to make appearances and autograph signings. He is expected to be on the sidelines for at least six months and that depends on rehab.

A WWE return looming after recovery?

Matt’s wife Chelsea Green made her return to WWE during the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match and has been a part of the roster ever since. She has also enjoyed a tag team title reign. There have been speculation that Green’s comeback could play a role in Cardona’s return to WWE. Even the former WWE wrestler has told his fans to never say never regarding his return.

However, he has made it clear that his old gimmick ‘Zack Ryder’ is dead, and if he ever makes a return he won’t be “just another guy on the roster”. Alongside the fans, Chelsea Green is expecting Cardona to make a return to WWE.

Shayna Baszler’s step through the ‘forbidden door’ was a successful one for the Queen of Spades, who earned a big win at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X. 

At the event, Baszler made a rare non-WWE appearance to take on TNA Wrestling’s Masha Slamovich. Both women had back-up as Baszler was accompanied by Zoey Stark while Slamovich arrived alongside reigning TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace. 

The crowd was at a fever pitch, delivering a “Holy S**t” chant before things for underway. The two combatants traded leg locks and fought to a stalemate to get things started. The crowd was noticeably pro-Slamovich and anti-Baszler, though this could have been more pro-GCW and anti-WWE. 

Baszler took control with jabs to the ribcage while Slamovich fought back with strikes and a flying armbar. Baszler tried to lock in an armbar of her own before Slamovich reversed the attempt. 

The finish saw Baszler slip out of an armbar and lock in an ankle lock. Slamovich tried to escape but Baszler released the hold and hit a flurry of stomps so brutal the ref called for the bell. There were loud boos and “F**k You Shayna” chants as she was declared the winner.

https://twitter.com/PuroresuFlow/status/1776008128502390847

Charlie Dempsey in Action

Baszler wasn’t the only WWE name in action at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X. Earlier in the show, Charlie Dempsey got a submission victory over Matt Makowsi. The finish of the fight saw Dempsey hit a stiff European uppercut on the BJJ Black belt and follow with a German Suplex and double wrist-lock to get the submission victory. 

Charlie Dempsey killing it!#Bloodsport #GCW #JBBSX
https://t.co/2O4TzqL4MF

— ?????? (@WrestlingCovers) April 4, 2024

As WWE WrestleMania 40 approaches, many independent wrestling events will occur that weekend. One of the events is Game Changer Wrestling and Orange Crush’s annual Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame. The 2024 class on April 7 will highlight several independent wrestling legends like The Briscoes(Jay & Mark Briscoe) and Trent Acid. 

On Twitter, GCW has shared that their latest inductee will be former ECW superstar Sabu. The high-flying and risk-taking legend had a long career in the defunct company but competed on the independent wrestling scene for many years. GCW and Orange Crush’s decision could also be due to the event occurring in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where ECW held many events. 

*2024 Indie HoF Update*

Inductee #5:
SABU

Inducted by:
TBA

Also Announced:
Steve Corino
Trent Acid
The Briscoes
Kevin Hogan

The 2024 #IndieHoF Ceremony takes place in Philadelphia on Sunday 4/7 at Noon and streams LIVE & FREE on Youtube!

Tix:https://t.co/EZnfwCxQHj pic.twitter.com/raGa8FGrun

— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) March 29, 2024

Regardless of the decision, Sabu is a great addition to the 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame class. His style has left an influence in wrestling that has helped inspire others to be as daring as he was in his career. He’s also been honored by GCW over the years and has made appearances for them, including The Wrld On GCW on January 23, 2022. 

Tickets for the 2024 Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame are still on sale on Eventbrite. The general admission to attend is $25, and the VIP table seating costs $49.99. Both also come with an additional fee for a ticket. GCW has announced that it will stream live at noon ET/9 AM PT on their YouTube Channel for fans who can’t attend. 

More On GCW Plans For WrestleMania Weekend

GCW will host 11 shows as part of their Collective schedule from April 4 to April 6. The popular independent company is still finalizing some of the cards, but it’s looking to be an incredible slate of events. One of the notable shows that fans are excited about is Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X on April 4. 

The event will feature several independent talents engaging in a more grappling and hard-hitting match than fans may see in other shows. WWE has gotten involved in the unique attraction by allowing Shayna Baszler to appear and take on Masha Slamovich. A few outlets reported that more WWE talent could appear for GCW and Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X. However, neither WWE nor GCW has made an official announcement. 

The entire GCW Collective schedule will stream live on TrillerTV+, which fans can watch for a 7.99 subscription. Tickets for most of the event are sold out or close to it on Eventbrite. Fans looking to attend one of the shows will have to buy their ticket now as they all may sell out very soon.  

Paul Heyman won’t be the only ECW alumni to be honored WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia as GCW is making sure another gets a Hall of Fame nod.

On Wednesday evening, GCW announced that former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino will be inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame on Sunday, April 7 at WrestleCon. Corino will join a class that includes Trent Acid, Kevin Hogan and The Briscoes. It was also announced that ‘The King Of Old School’ will be inducted by his son, Colby Corino. Serendipitously enough, Corino’s sister Allison Danger is set to be honored later this year at the Cauliflower Alley Club.

Cornio commented on his own induction posting the following on X:

“Honored to be a part of the Indie Hall of Fame.”

Honored to be a part of the Indie Hall of Fame. https://t.co/zmVjNG6mFr

— Steve Corino (@KINGCorino) March 28, 2024

Who Else Is In The GCW Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame?

Steve Corino joins several other ECW names in the GCW Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame, but there are also others that have been bestowed the honor. The inaugural Hall Of Fame class occured in 2022 and included Jerry Lynn, Tracy Smothers, Dave Prazak, Homicide, Ruckus and Lufisto. The class of 2023 had Paul London, Cheerleader Melissa, Christopher Daniels, Excalibur, Jimmy Jacobs and Michael Modest.

Corino currently works for WWE as a coach and a producer for WWE NXT. This induction will be the second crossover WWE will have with GCW on WrestleMania weekend as Shayna Bazsler is set to compete in Bloodsport X as she’s going to square off against Masha Slamovich.

Last week, Josh Barnett revealed that, in a rare GCW-WWE crossover, Shayna Baszler will be in action at the upcoming Bloodsport X showcase on April 4. Per usual, this event will once again take place in the midst of the WrestleMania 40 festivities, specifically as a part of the GCW Collective.

Coming off this major announcement, several GCW talents raised interest in facing Baszler. Ultimately, only one would be offered this opportunity. And after delivering a compelling pitch, we now know that the lucky talent is none other than “The Russian Dynamite” Masha Slamovich.

‘The Russian Dynamite’ Prepares To Meet ‘The Queen of Spades’

Upon confirming Slamovich as Baszler’s Bloodsport opponent, Josh Barnett also released footage of Slamovich’s impassioned message to her on X.

While Baszler may be in a different company right now, Slamovich asserted that they both have been seeking out the same thing — fresh competition (or prey, rather). As such, Slamovich believes it only fitting that they fulfill their hunger in a one-on-one matchup at Bloodsport. 

“I know that you are the Disciple of the Warmaster, that you are the Queen of Spades, but guess what? You have never seen a competitor so hungry,”  Slamovich said to Baszler. “You’ve never ever been in the ring with somebody like the Russian Dynamite, somebody who’s clawed their way through Bloodsport, someone who’s clawed their way to the very heights of GCW, to the very height of the indies, holding gold around the world.”

“So while these days count down to Bloodsport, I hope you’re training. I hope you’re ready, because I’m hungry and there’s nothing, there’s no body who can stop me, not even you.”

In addition to Baszler, Bloodsport X will also mark the GCW of Nic Nemeth (formerly Dolph Ziggler), who is slated to take on “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a first-time matchup. Josh Barnett will be in action as well as he battles Johnny Bloodsport (John Morrison).

WWE reportedly will not be the only promotion playing host to its roster WrestleMania 40 weekend in Philadelphia as Shayna Baszler breaks down a wall.

There’s big news on the forefront when it comes to the relationship of WWE and GCW. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting that Josh Barnett’s ever-popular Bloodsport event that takes place every WrestleMania will indeed feature multiple talents from WWE. 

One name who has been revealed to participating is Shayna Baszler as Josh Barnett made the announcement Friday afternoon.

“What does it mean when a Queen takes up the sword and marches to war? Blood. Victory. Glory. From battlefields all over the world – MMA & the UFC, WWE NXT, WWE, Stardom, and more – to now step into a ring she was made for from the beginning. The Warmaster’s disciple, “The Queen of Spades” Shayna Baszler, comes to Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport X.”

What does it mean when a Queen takes up the sword and marches to war?

Blood. Victory. Glory.

From battlefields all over the world – MMA & the @ufc , @WWENXT , @WWE , @wwr_stardom , and more – to now step into a ring she was made for from the beginning.

The Warmaster's… pic.twitter.com/DKBbW2VTh8

— ??? ????????? (@JoshLBarnett) March 15, 2024

The collaboration is significant, considering in the past WWE has been very protective of its territory surrounding WrestleMania and other tentpole PLE events. 

A report and reveal like this further indicates WWE’s willingness to extend an olive branch out to other promotions not under their banner. Triple H and WWE did the same courtesy to TNA in January when they had TNA World Knockouts Champion, Jordynne Grace become a surprise entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble match.

Wildly enough, last year’s Bloodsport featured AEW star Jon Moxley in a featured match against Alex Coughlin.

Keep your eyes out for more potential WWE names being announced for Bloodsport X as we draw closer to WrestleMania weekend.

Game Changer Wrestling returns this year to host with Orange Crush for their third Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame. The annual event will occur on April 7 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tickets are still on sale on Eventbrite for as low as $25. So far, the company has announced two inductees for this year’s Hall of Fame.

GCW announced on February 19 on Twitter that Michael Verdi, AKA Trent Acid, was the first inductee of the 2024 class. He unfortunately passed away in 2010 after a drug overdose. Verdi will be inducted posthumously by his former tag team partner, Johnny Kashmere, with whom he won several tag titles, including the Ring Of Honor Tag Team Championship. 

After revealing Verdi as the first inductee of the 2024 class, GCW has quickly announced another addition to this year’s Hall of Fame.

The company shared on February 21 that The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe) are the second inductees via Twitter. Mark will accept the honors for himself and his brother, who passed away on January 17, 2023 in a car accident.  

*Indie HoF Update*

Inductee #2 for the Class of 2024:
THE BRISCOE BROS

To be accepted by:@SussexCoChicken

The 2024 #IndieHoF Ceremony takes place on Sunday 4/7 at Noon at the site of @wrestlecon!

Get Tickets:https://t.co/EZnfwCxQHj

Streaming LIVE & FREE on Youtube! pic.twitter.com/x4840tNRWo

— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) February 22, 2024

Mark has not commented on the announcement but has reposted GCW’s reveal on his Twitter account. 

More On The Briscoes Induction Into The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame

The inclusion of The Briscoes is well-deserving, as they were regarded as one of the best tag teams of the last two decades. They won championships for several different independent promotions, including GCW. Briscoes also have the record for most ROH Tag Team Championship reigns with 13. 

In 2021 and 2022, they had a career resurgence and had a memorable feud with FTR(Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) in ROH. Briscoes also competed in different companies consistently, proving they were one of the best tag teams in the world. 

Their last match together was a loss against Mane Event (Jay Lyon & Midas Black) in a Two Out Of Three Falls Match at House Of Glory: Revelations on December 17, 2022.

Although it’s unfortunate that Jey, AKA Jamin Pugh, is no longer with us, he hasn’t been forgotten. His induction alongside his brother at the Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame further solidifies his legacy as one of the greats in wrestling. 

Game Changer Wrestling, also known as GCW, announced on Thursday, February 22 that its Breaking GCW event will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at The Dirty Bourbon.

Taking place on Sunday, April 21, the event will be coming live from the same city where the hit AMC show Breaking Bad’s spinoff Better Call Saul is set in. If you notice the name of the show and its graphics, it’s a reference to the classic series.

But what’s even more interesting is the fact that Breaking GCW will take place in the same location that the Breaking Bad spinoff was filmed in:

*ALBUQUERQUE UPDATE*

GCW makes it's debut in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sunday, April 21st…

Tickets go On Sale this FRIDAY (2/23) at 10AM MT!

GCW presents
BREAKING GCW
Sun 4/21 – 6PM
The Dirty Bourbon
ABQ, NM

Watch LIVE on @FiteTV+! pic.twitter.com/UCTtLcM5EH

— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) February 19, 2024

Fans online were quick to notice the location of the event, which they recognized from the spinoff show. You can compare the event’s location in the left picture with the same location from Better Call Saul on the right:

I always use Google satellite and street view to get a visual of every venue, and I knew this one looked familiar… https://t.co/xWMwgsFqvw pic.twitter.com/NXklCcuuDW

— Johnathan Ashe (@GPWAshe) February 21, 2024

Better Call Saul is a legal crime drama series featuring Bob Odenkirk that aired from February 2015 to August 2022, spanning six seasons. The show follows the journey of ex-con artist Jimmy McGill, portrayed by Odenkirk, as he evolves into a small-time attorney. 

Throughout the series, Jimmy faces a series of trials and tragedies, ultimately transforming into his alter ego, a morally dubious criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. The location was used as Goodman’s office in the series. 

Breaking GCW will be the promotion’s debut in the city of Albuquerque. Tickets are going live on February 23 at 10 AM MT. You can also catch the show live on Triller TV.  

Joey Janela certainly has big plans for his eighth rendition of his self-named Spring Break and it involves reuniting a WWE Hall of Fame tag team.

Along with Kerry Morton, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express will join forces once again to take on Mike Bailey and the East West Express which consists of Nick Wayne and Jordan Oliver. Spring Break will take place at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia on Friday, April 5.

Janela took to X to express his excitement about having a young “Express” vs. a legendary “Express.”

“We had to make this one happen! Thank you for buying tickets for my show and selling it out! We ain’t even close to being finished, this will be the best spring break of all time! The Rock N Roll express reunites for SPRING BREAK.”

https://twitter.com/JANELABABY/status/1756879478393807203

Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson started up their retirement tour back in 2022 before Gibson stepped out of the squared circle and made a hot tag to Ricky’s son Kerry to take up the mantle.

While no titles are on the line for this bout, Rock ‘n’ Roll had a renaissance before COVID-19 hit as the duo won the NWA World Tag Team Titles. Since then, Morton and Gibson would find themselves working a cup of coffee in AEW and several stints in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

The forthcoming GCW match will cover a wide range of ages as Morton is one of the oldest active talents at 67 years old and Wayne is one of the youngest at the age of 18.

Matt Cardona won’t sit idly by while he watches some popular wrestler with a movie to his name take a spot from deserving talent, in Game Changer Wrestling. 

At GCW’s Coldest Winter event, Cardona shared the ring with his former WWE nemesis Nic Nemeth. Cardona was feeling nostalgic for their 2011 program, as he was wearing Zack Ryder-themed attire for the face-to-face. Before their match, Cardona 

“I am the face of GCW! I can’t just let some part-timer come in here and steal my spot! You think you’re The Rock or something, bro? So why don’t you do yourself a favor and just lay down, let me get the 1-2-3, so I can finish my story?”

After this pre-match promo, Cardona and Nemeth would have an excellent match. During the bout, the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion hammered his point home by hitting Nemeth with a Rock Bottom. 

Followed by The People’s Elbow from @TheMattCardona ? https://t.co/Y0QM5183Zl pic.twitter.com/PFo5h7VLle

— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) February 4, 2024

The Rock’s Controversial Return

Cardona’s comments are of course about The Rock’s return to WWE this week. Fans have taken issue with the Brahma Bull’s comeback, given that it has cost Cody Rhodes a rematch with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. WWE’s YouTube video of The Rock’s return has scored a record number of dislikes. Despite this, The Rock has said that his connection with the People can’t be broken. 

What’s Next? 

The Rock and Roman Reigns will appear at an upcoming WrestleMania 40 press event, though there’s no word on whether Cody will be a part of the show. Cody will be at the Elimination Chamber: Perth event this month, a show neither The Rock nor Roman Reigns are expected to appear at. Logan Paul has also been confirmed for the event.

The rumors of Andrade El Idolo’s imminent return to WWE are only growing now that the former NXT Champion has been pulled from a GCW event. 

At AEW Worlds End, Andrade lost to Miro after his manager CJ Perry betrayed him and aligned with her husband. Shortly before the show, it was noted that this would likely be Andrade’s final AEW match and that he was expected to return to WWE imminently. On the post-Worlds End media scrum, Tony Khan confirmed Andrade’s exit from the All-Elite promotion. 

Andrade’s WWE Return

With Andrade’s time with AEW over, many expect a return to WWE. Andrade’s departure from AEW was said to be not pleasant and he made it clear during last week’s Dynamite that he no longer wanted to be a part of AEW. 

While WWE hasn’t announced Andrade’s return, clues are piling up that he will be back soon. As previously reported, a former champion is expected to return to WWE on tonight’s ‘Day 1’ edition of Monday Night Raw, which could be the former NXT and United States Champion. 

Now, another major clue has indicated that Andrade’s return to WWE is happening, even if not at tonight’s Raw. PW Insider reports that Andrade was advertised for at least one GCW event for 2024, and that is no longer the case. WWE famously prefers to keep their talent away from other promotions, with only a select few exceptions. 

WWE Day 1 Raw

Whether Andrade appears tonight or not, the Day 1 episode of Raw will be quite the show. The following matches have been confirmed. 

• Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax

• Tegan Nox and Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark (Number One Contenders match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

• Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Ivy Nile (WWE Women’s World Championship)

• Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Zilla Fatu is ready to take Game Changer Wrestling by storm when he makes his debut for the promotion at their upcoming January event. 

Fatu is the son of the late Umaga, who is best remembered for his WWE run from 2006 to 2009 that saw him become a two-time Intercontinental Champion. Zilla began training to be a wrestler in late 2022 and had been training at Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling training school. In September, Fatu shared that he’d left the ROW promotion, and later explained that there were ‘irreconcilable’ differences that meant he had to leave. 

Zilla Fatu in GCW

With a handful of matches to his name, Zilla Fatu is now ready to make his presence felt in Game Changer Wrestling. On Twitter this week, GCW announced that Fatu will be a part of the Look at Me event in Tampa on January 26. Other names promoted for the show include Andrade El Idolo, Nick Gage, Blake Christian, and Maki Itoh. AJ Francis and Mansoor, who were both released from WWE in September of this year, will also work the event.

A Potential WWE Run? 

With Zilla being part of the famed Anoa’i Family of wrestlers, there has been speculation as to whether he could one day join his relations in WWE. After a successful in-ring debut in July of this year, Zilla was asked about possibly joining The Bloodline. Fatu had a different idea in mind for his WWE arrival and said he plans to ‘own’ WWE and the Superstars currently there. 

The landscape of the career of Matt Cardona was dramatically changed by his role with GCW, despite the ex-Superstar being against the idea at first.

Cardona’s 15-year career with WWE ended in April 2020 when he was released from the promotion. The former Zack Ryder captured the WWE & Raw Tag Team Championships in WWE, and had reigns as United States and Intercontinental Champion. 

Matt Cardona on GCW Run

With his WWE career over, Cardona reinvented himself on the independent scene, ditching his fun-loving face persona into a despicable heel who thrived in riling up audiences. Cardona’s new character was never on more display than during his GCW feud with Nick Gage, which saw Cardona refer to Gage’s past legal problems. On the Insight podcast, Cardona shared how the match came to be and admitted he was against the idea at first. 

“So John Carlo, my friend John Carlo, who was working for GCW at the time. Worked for WWE, now works for AEW, he pitched it to me. I said ‘Absolutely f***ing not!’ I am not wrestling, because Nick Gage was just on Dark Side of the Ring. He almost killed David Arquette in the ring, criminal, drug addict, I’m not wrestling this guy!

“And then I took a step back and said ‘Wait a minute. People are going to watch this.’ People are going to talk about this. They’re going to want to see Zack Ryder carved up by Nick Gage. So let’s do it. And it was only a three-shot deal. Three shows: go in [and] attack Nick Gage. Have the match, and the one show after.”

The altercation and subsequent match with Gage would go viral on social media, which came as the world of wrestling was still being rocked by COVID. On the show, Cardona argued that the match helped change independent wrestling as it showed that smaller shows could still do big business. 

“I think we changed independent wrestling. I say we because GCW needed to be GCW, I needed to be me and Nick Gage needed to be Nick Gage. We needed all of those ingredients.

“It’s an independent show in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But it trended number one over the UFC pay-per-view that night and the Olympics. Which is nuts. We had captured lightning in a bottle, I use that expression all the time. We had it and I just ran with it. 

Cardona would dethrone Gage to win the GCW World Heavyweight Championship. In his efforts to rile up the fans, Cardona would introduce a ‘Spinner’ version of the GCW World title and attempt to bring ‘Sports Entertainment’ to the violent promotion. 

A Possible WWE Return? 

While Cardona is killing it outside of WWE, the former Superstar has previously said he’d consider an offer to return. On the podcast, Cardona made it clear that he still has a lot of appreciation for what WWE did for him. 

“[I’m] so, so grateful to WWE for Zack Ryder. That was my dream, I lived it. Highest of highs, lowest of lows, I’m forever grateful for that time. It set me up for who I am today, but it’s over. Zack Ryder is dead. If I ever were to go back to WWE, if it was up to me, it’d be as Matt Cardona.” 

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops. 

Fight Forever, the much-anticipated console video game has yet to hit shelves, and Game Changer Wrestling may have played a role in this.

AEW: Fight Forever was first announced in late 2020 and will mark the promotion’s first foray into the world of console gaming.

Tony Khan’s promotion has two other games, AEW Elite: GM, and AEW Casino: Double or Nothing, both of which are available on mobile devices.

Fight Forever Dispute

During last weekend’s post-AEW Revolution media scrum, Tony Khan indicated that the game was finished, but stopped short of giving a release date.

Now, close to one week later, we still have no word on when the game will launch and GCW may have played a role in the holdup.

Paperwork filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office reveals that GCW is formally opposing AEW’s registration of its “Fight Forever” trademark.

The two sides are said to be in settlement talks, with Michael Dockins, who has aided wrestlers in both companies with trademarks, representing GCW.

GCW did host their own Fight Forever event in January 2021, which was a 24-hour event with zero fans due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The show’s purpose was to highlight indie wrestling during the pandemic, and GCW filed a trademark on the Fight Forever term last year.

AEW: Fight Forever

With an eight-digit investment into their gaming department (at least $10 million), a lot is riding on the success of Fight Forever.

For many wrestlers in the All-Elite promotion, the game will mark their first time being a playable character in a game, as opposed to a CAW.

The game will feature wrestling game staples, including singles matches, tag matches, ladder matches, and battle royales, as well as more unique match types including the Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch and Intergender wrestling.

At this time, there is still no word on when the game will be released.

GCW’s The Collective 2023 is back again from March 30-April 2. There will be a total of 10 shows, including the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame to close the weekend.

Talent and match announcements from all shows have been trickling out, including that Jon Moxley is making his return to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9.

GCW announces first inductee

On Wednesday night, Christopher Daniels was announced as the first inductee for the 2023 Indie Hall of Fame was announced. He will be inducted by his best friend and long-time tag team partner, Frankie Kazarian.

Kazarian tweeted that he is “very much humbled and proud to induct one of the very best ever…”

“The Fallen Angel” has been wrestling since 1993 and is still wrestling. Daniels has wrestled for ROH, IMPACT, AEW, NJPW, and NOAH. He made several appearances in WWE.

Danielson has held over 20 titles among multiple promotions. He was also ROH’s first ever Grand Slam Champion.

In addition to wrestling, he is also the AEW Head of Talent Relations. Along with Kazarian and Scorpio Sky, Daniels was one of the first AEW signees.

• MLW Battle Riot V is coming to Philadelphia April 8

The Indie Hall of Fame airs on Sunday, April 2 at 12 PM PT. It will be broadcast on FITE+.

Jon Moxley isn’t done with GCW after all. He will be returning to GCW’s The Collective 2023. Moxley will be returning to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9.

Jon Moxley Isn’t Done with GCW

Last October, Moxley signed an extension with AEW. The announcement said that the former AEW World Champion would be exclusive to AEW and its international partners. The announcement came one day before Moxley was set to face Nick Gage for the GCW Championship.

Mox was the champion at the time and the press release seemed to say that he wasn’t allowed to wrestle for GCW. The Firm’s Stokely Hathaway and Big Bill showed up and cost Moxley the title, in a move that was never explained. Gage said after the match that the other company told Moxley he couldn’t wrestle there and Moxley said he wrestles where he wants.

• Jon Moxley Will “Ride or Die” With AEW

Many were under the impression that Moxley wasn’t allowed to wrestle for GCW. GCW’s Brett Lauderdale said in an interview,  “to be honest, I don’t know what our relationship is with GCW. And I don’t mean that in a bad way or a good way. But again, I have very little interaction with AEW. So, I don’t know. In terms of AEW people being banned or barred from wrestling for GCW, I’m not sure that such an edicts exists and I would think that if that was a rule, I think I would know. But again, they don’t send me a weekly email or an update. So, I’m not sure. Everything is on a case-by-case basis. So, we’ll see.”

Lauderdale also said that he didn’t think Moxley was done with GCW. “So, I wouldn’t be surprised if I hear from him again in a few months or six months or whatever. Sometime in the next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back again and stops in for another event.”

Bloodsport 9 is on Thursday, March 30 at 4 PM PT on FITE+.

Kota Ibushi is officially touring the United States in the summer of 2023.

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion and longtime leader of ‘Bloodsport’, Josh Barnett announced quite the matchup for his latest installment of the event.

IMPACT star ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey will face none other than former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi at Bloodsport 9.

Kota Ibushi Is Now a Free Agent

Following an historic run in New Japan Pro Wrestling from 2009 through 2023, Kota Ibushi would collect nearly every accolade and title possible. Ibushi would hold the IWGP World Heavyweight, Heavyweight, Intercontinental, Junior Heavyweight, Junior Heavyweight Tag, and World Tag Team Championships.

Kota Ibushi officially became a free agent on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 following a near 15-year run with the company both before and after a brief run in WWE in 2016 where he competed in the inaugural Cruiserweight Classic, where he was defeated by the tournament’s eventual winner TJ Perkins in the event’s semifinals.

GCW Collective 2023 Schedule

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9 takes place on Thursday, March 30 at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California at 4:00 p.m. local time. The event will be part of GameChanger Wrestling’s annual ‘GCW Collective’ during WrestleMania 39 weekend.

Thursday, March 30

• Santino Bros Wrestling (11:00 a.m. PDT)
• Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9 (4:00 p.m. PDT)
• DDT Pro-Wrestling (8:00 p.m. PDT)
• For The Culture (11:59 p.m. PDT)

Friday, March 31

• Jimmy Lloyd’s Degeneration-F (11:00 a.m. PDT)
• DDT vs. GCW (3:00 p.m. PDT)
• Joey Janela’s Spring Break 7 (8:00 p.m. PDT)
• Emo Fight (11:59 p.m. PDT)

Saturday, April 1

• Effy’s Big Gay Brunch: LA (11:00 a.m. PDT)
• Gringo Loco’s The WRLD on Lucha (9:00 p.m. PDT)

Sunday, April 2

• The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame (12:00 p.m. PDT)

SEScoops will continue to provide any updates on Kota Ibushi’s free agency status as they become available.

Game Changer Wrestling has announced that New Japan Pro Wrestling star Kota Ibushi will return to the ring and debut for GCW next month. It all goes down over ‘WrestleMania Goes Hollywood’ weekend from Los Angeles as part of GCW’s The Collective 2023.

Ibushi last competed on October 10, 2021 when he faced (and lost to) Kazuchika Okada in the G1 Climax 2021 Final. He’s been out of action with a shoulder injury and also had a public falling-out with NJPW during that time.

Ibushi will be appearing for GCW on two shows:

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9
Thursday March 30, 4pm

Joey Janela’s Spring Break 7
Friday, March 31, 8pm

Both events will stream live on FITE+ from the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California. If you’ll be in town WrestleMania weekend, visit Eventbrite to buy tickets for the GCW events.

Click here for more information on additional talent announced for GCW The Collective 2023.

GCW will be back with The Collective 2023 coinciding with WrestleMania 39 weekend. Shows will begin on Thursday, March 30 and end on Sunday, April 2.

There will be 10 shows and the weekend will close out with The Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

GCW Announcing Talent

With ticket packages now on sale, GCW has began announcing talent for various shows.

Bloodsport 9 has announced the return of Timothy Thatcher.

Maki Itoh is the first wrestler announced for Joey Janela’s Spring Break 7: Californication.

El Hijo del Vikingo has been announced for two shows. He will be making his debut for Gringo Loco’s The Wrld on Lucha and at Spring Break.

Janela announced the first match for Spring Break in what will be a MOTY contender: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey.

For the Culture is returning and bringing back 2 Cold Scorpio and Bryan Keith.

EFFY’s Big Gay Brunch 6 will be “bigger, gayer, brunchier” with the announcement of THRUSSY (EFFY, Allie Katch, and Dark Sheik). Pollo Del Mar will also be returning.

Joe Lando has been announced for Jimmy Lloyd’s D-Generation F. East West Express will also be wrestling on the show.

One of the big shows during the weekend will be the first GCW vs. DDT Pro show. The popular YOSHIHIKO will be there representing DDT.

For the DDT Goes Hollywood show, talent including Konosuke Takeshita, Jun Akiyami, and Sanshiro Takagi have been announced.

One of The Collective 2023’s new shows will be the Santino Bros. Wrestling show, California Love. Bad Dude Tito, Che Cabrera, and Willie Mack are among wrestlers that will be appearing.

“Blackheart” Lio Rush will be returning to GCW Emo Fight.

Tickets are now available here. All shows will be airing on FITE TV+.

• Kevin Nash Explains Why He Did Not Accept An Invitation To RAW 30

Game Changer Wrestling presents GCW: Don’t Talk to Me tonight (January 20, 2023) from the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord, North Carolina.

Matches

Here’s the full card for GCW Don’t Talk to Me:

• Ricky Morton vs. Tony Deppen
• Nick Wayne vs. Arez
• Blake Christian vs. Andrew Everett
• Marty Garner vs. Cole Radrick
• Jordan Oliver vs. Kerry Morton
• BUSSY (Allie Katch and EFFY) vs. Charles Mason and Parrow
• John Wayne Murdoch and George South vs. Revolt (Caleb Konley and Zane Riley) vs. Bojack and Lucky Ali vs. Second Gear Crew (Mance Warner and Matthew Justice)
• El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Gringo Loco
• GCW Tag Team Championship: Los Macizos (Ciclope and Miedo Extremo) (c) vs. The Ugly Ducklings (Lance Lude and Rob Killjoy)

How to Watch

GCW: Don’t Talk to Me stream live on FITE+ on Friday, January 20, 2023 starting at 8pm (Eastern).